Tag: Stephon Gilmore

Cowboys’ Gilmore: Shoulder ‘popped out,’ vows he’ll ‘be ready to go’ in wild-card round

From @ToddBrock24f7: The veteran CB missed the second half of the Cowboys’ season-ending win, but promises his shoulder injury is “nothing too crazy.”

The Cowboys secondary got a major scare late in the first half of the team’s 38-10 season-ending win when Stephon Gilmore landed awkwardly while making a play. The veteran cornerback was escorted to the locker room and did not return to action, though he was seen on the sideline with his right arm in a sling.

Early reports were that Gilmore had injured a shoulder, leaving fans to wonder if the Dallas defense would have to start their playoff run without either of the corners that had started the 2023 campaign.

But while Trevon Diggs will still be relegated to observer status for the posteason journey, Gilmore says he’ll be in uniform and on the field when the Cowboys host Green Bay in the wild-card round next weekend.

Gilmore’s shoulder “just popped out,” he said after the division-clinching win per the team website, “and they popped it back in place. I feel way better now. Happy it wasn’t nothing too crazy.”

Gilmore entered the Week 18 contest having played more snaps than any Cowboys defender this season. Nahshon Wright came on in his place to finish the game against the Commanders opposite league interception leader and first-time Pro Bowler DaRon Bland, who snared yet another pick on Sunday.

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The Cowboys secondary will face a stiff test in the wild-card round, with the red-hot Jordan Love coming to town averaging nearly two passing touchdowns per game, a rate that’s second in the league.

But if Gilmore’s self-diagnosis is to be believed, he’ll be in his usual spot when the Cowboys defense takes the field in the tournament.

“He told me was fine and he’d be ready to go,” said Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy.

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Cowboys CB Stephon Gilmore questionable to return with shoulder injury

From @Cdburnett7: The Cowboys veteran cornerback went to the locker room in Washington after suffering a right arm injury during the 2nd quarter in Week 18.

It’s a slugfest at FedEx Field as the Dallas Cowboys are trying to secure the NFC East crown, along with the No. 2 seed in the conference. The cornerback room has battled through a key injury this season, and now it may have lost another key piece.

Stephon Gilmore dove to make a play on the ball late in the first half and went down awkwardly on his shoulder before it appeared to make contact with Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

Following the play, Gilmore stayed down before gingerly walking to the sideline holding his left arm. After being evaluated by the Cowboys trainers, he was led to the locker room while keeping the arm very still.

Right after his walk to the locker room, Dallas announced that he is questionable to return to the game with a shoulder injury. (Update: Gilmore was reported as out by Fox’s Erin Andrews shortly after the third quarter got underway. He was later seen on the sideline with his arm in a sling.)

The addition of Gilmore gave Dallas a massive boost in the secondary and second life after Trevon Diggs’ season ended prematurely. Initial reaction didn’t look good for Gilmore, and his status is very important for the Cowboys’ playoff hopes.

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Report: Scott Fitterer has received no assurances about his future with Panthers

According to The Athletic, GM Scott Fitterer has not received any assurances about his future with the Panthers.

Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer lasted through this year’s in-season trip to the chopping block. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll last much longer.

On Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic dove in on Fitterer’s body of work in his three-year tenure atop Carolina’s front office. And according to Person, there are no guarantees for a fourth year.

He writes:

When the Carolina Panthers owner fired coach Frank Reich on Nov. 27, he didn’t address the future of GM Scott Fitterer, hired in January 2021 to succeed Marty Hurney. Fitterer has received no reassurances about his future with the team, according to a source briefed on the situation.

Reich was fired after leading the Panthers to a 1-10 record. His dismissal, which came after just 11 games, marked the NFL’s shortest run as a head coach in nearly 50 years.

Person notes that while Fitterer has done some good as Carolina’s general manager, he has been behind the losses of MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey, All-Pro pass rusher Haason Reddick and former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore. The team has also ventured into choppy waters with two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns, who still remains without a contract extension.

The Panthers are 14-34 since hiring Fitterer.

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Cowboys have 19 pending free agents in 2024 as cap rumored around $242.5M

A look at the Cowboys pending free agency class and what the expected 2024 salary cap may look like. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys are in the midst of their third-straight double-digit win campaign. It’s the first time since the 1994 through 1996 seasons they’ve been able to claim that feat. Being that this is the most consistent the franchise has been since their Super Bowl days, it stands to reason the front office will look to do what it can to keep the roster in tact.

Of course, if the club doesn’t advance past the divisional round, the perception changes in a heartbeat. But if Dallas does make it to the championship rounds, they’ll want to do as much as they can to run it back. That includes looking at their 19 pending free agents.

The owners Winter meetings are taking place in Dallas this week, and among the myriad of topics discussed annually at this time of the year is the salary cap for next year. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer is reporting that no announcement will be made, but several tuned-in entities are predicting the 2024 number to come in between $240 million and $245 million.

That would be a jump of at least $15 million over the 2023 cap, but Dallas has concerns even with that total. Right now, Dallas is projected to be around $16 million over the median of those two numbers based on the salaries already on the roster.

There are restructure triggers galore in their current deals and extensions which could also reduce some of the larger cap hits like Dak Prescott’s $59.5 million or Zack Martin’s $28.5 million. And it will be needed to create space to bring in outside help or re-sign these names.

Cowboys News: Another player of the week, a big opportunity, and a trip to Brazil?

The Cowboys can clinch a playoff spot while their defense can earn a triple crown. The latest news and notes, from @ArmyCheifW3

To the victor goes the spoils as another league award has been earned b a Dallas player. Although this is not as big as Andrew Jackson’s election win in 1828, the Cowboys have been piling up the hardware en route to what has been a fantastic season. Before people start making postseason arrangements, a few things have to fall in the Cowboys favor to clinch a spot in the postseason.

Part of the reason the Cowboys have been so successful this season is that they own a very good turnover ratio. In fact, it is so good that a crown awaits if they can keep up the pace. Speaking of crowns, the NFL is looking to further its reach and of course Dallas is part of the conversation.

Lastly, the injury to defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins isn’t as significant as originally believed yet he may still miss some time. That should open up opportunities for a couple of guys who have yet to make their mark in this league. That and much more in this version of Cowboys news and notes.

 

Studs and Duds: All 3 phases set to stun in Cowboys’ 20-point win over Eagles

All 3 phases had standout studs for the Cowboys in their win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14. | From @BenGrimaldi

The Dallas Cowboys have been waiting five weeks to get another shot at the Philadelphia Eagles, and they didn’t come up short this time around. In their 15th straight win at home, and seventh in a row to start this year, the Cowboys evened the score with the Eagles with the 33-13 win in Week 14.

It was another dominating performance at AT&T Stadium and the fifth win in a row for the Cowboys. In their seven wins at home this season, six of them have been by at least 20 points. Dallas dominated in all three phases to beat the Eagles and take over first place in the NFC East.

The Cowboys embarrassed a rival on the big stage and beat the team with the best record in the league heading into the week. Regular season wins don’t get much better. Here are the studs and duds for the Cowboys in the Week 14 blowout win.

Gilmore vs Metcalf could be key matchup in Cowboys-Seahawks tilt

Of all the matchups between the Cowboys and Seahawks in Week 13, the most intriguing is when Stephon Gillmore and D.K. Metcalf line up. | From @ReidDHanson

The Week 13 battle between the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks features a number of storylins. Both teams are in second place within their respective divisions and both have hopes a late-season surge can lead to  division crowns.

The Cowboys’ offensive line has finally take shape. LT Tyron Smith is regaining a form not seen in years. He’s currently ranked No. 2 by PFF and could be in store for his first Pro Bowl season since 2021.

Opposite him at RT is Terence Steele, who up until recently has struggled to bounce back from a season-ending injury suffered last December. Steele has posted two strong games in a row and could be on an equally as impressive upswing.

Both men will be put to the test by Seattle’s Boye Mafe. Mafe, an EDGE who has played 275 snaps on the left and 177 snaps on the right, can rush from either side. When he sees a matchup that favors him, he’ll attack it. Expect him to test both OTs.

Another key battle to watch will be between the Cowboys’ safeties and Geno Smith. The Seahawks are loaded with downfield weapons and keeping their big plays down to a minimum will be of high priority. Seattle should expect more 2-high looks than normal from Dallas as the Cowboys try to keep things under wraps and caged in.

But the key matchup to watch on Thursday has to be between Stephon Gillmore and D.K. Metcalf. Dallas isn’t married to the idea of shadowing WRs with a specific CB in most games. In fact, they rarely do it this season and haven’t since Week 4, but matchups like this seem like the perfect opportunity.

Metcalf, 6-foot-3, 229-pounds, is an enormous task for anyone. But Gilmore’s long arms and veteran savvy make him the ideal candidate to limit his damage. If there was ever a reason to have him travel, this seems like the time.

Only a few weeks ago Dallas pushed Gillmore into A.J. Brown’s direction. Against Gillmore, Brown caught all four passes he was thrown, but he was kept to just 42 yards on the day. Gillmore was smart enough to reduce the damage and stay between his WR and the endzone. He will be asked to do the same against Metcalf, a player who has the speed to break off a long run from anywhere.

While Metcalf is fast and powerful, he doesn’t have the agility or move with the same suddenness as the other Seattle WRs. It makes Gillmore the ideal matchup for Metcalf and DaRon Bland best used elsewhere.

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Former Defensive Player of the Year believes Patriots failed Mac Jones

Stephon Gilmore believes the Patriots organization is more to blame for the offensive struggles than Mac Jones.

Former New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore believes the Patriots organization has failed quarterback Mac Jones.

Gilmore was a major piece for the team during the final years of the Tom Brady era. The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year overlapped with Jones a bit, as he was traded to the Carolina Panthers at the 2021 trade deadline.

Gilmore is now with the Dallas Cowboys. However, he still talks to Jones, and the corner believes the organization has not done enough for the quarterback to succeed. He elaborated on this during an appearance on “The Greg Hill Show” on WEEI, per NESN.com’s Zack Cox.

“I definitely do. I think he’s a starting quarterback,” Gilmore said. “He’s smart. He works hard. He can throw the ball anywhere. He can get the ball out quick when he can.

“I think he’s a starting quarterback. I think it’s a team thing. I think the team just hasn’t been able to set him up the right way.”

There are a myriad of problems for the Patriots’ roster. However, there is no denying that the team has stunted Jones’ development.

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Mic’d-up Cowboys and Jets players were left in awe on the sidelines by Micah Parsons’ dominant performance

Micah Parsons put on an incredible show some of the NFL’s best players couldn’t believe.

When it comes to ferocious pass rushers, they don’t get much better than Micah Parsons. A two-time First-Team All-Pro, the 24-year-old seems better than ever in his third season with the Dallas Cowboys. In just two games, Parsons has already amassed six quarterback hits, four tackles-for-loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble. This would put him on a blistering pace for roughly 50ish quarterback hits, approximately 33 tackles-for-loss, over 25 sacks, and nine forced fumbles.

Parsons will assuredly and likely reach none of these staggering, record-breaking numbers. But it does provide context on how utterly exceptional he’s been for the NFL’s top defense. His teammates and opponents are taking note.

A new video from Inside the NFL features a video of Parsons running circles around the New York Jets offensive line last Sunday. Sprinkled in between highlights from the radio broadcast, we can see players like a mic’d-up Stephon Gilmore and Quinnen Williams encourage and marvel at Parsons’ individual brilliance. They’re not the only ones:

Look, if All-Pros and Defensive Player of the Year-caliber talents like Gilmore and Williams can’t believe what they’re watching, it’s clear Parsons is putting on a rare show. He’s the cornerstone of a vicious Dallas defense, and it doesn’t appear like he’ll slow down any time soon.

LOOK: Parson’s pressure leads to Gilmore pick, Pollard TD

The Cowboys have not let up, securing another turnover and scoring another touchdown in an impressive first half.

The Cowboys are only 22 minutes into their season and are already making a statement to the lead. After alternating return touchdowns and offensive drives that ended in field goals, the offense was finally able to reach the end zone as intended.

First, though, Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons had to make another huge play. Parsons burst through the Giants’ offensive line, pressuring Daniel Jones towards the sideline and into a rushed throw. At the other end of the toss was free-agent acquisition Stephon Gilmore, who plucked the ball off the ground for the team’s third forced turnover and second interception.

A few plays later, new RB1 Tony Pollard was taking the pitch on the goal line from quarterback Dak Prescott and slow-playing the hole into the end zone for the lead.

Dallas has completely dominated the first half of their first game of the 2023 season. They lead 26-0 with just under eight minutes to go in the game